Working principles and key areas - Vienna Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office

Working principles

Clients are entitled to anonymous consultation services and assistance. These services are provided over the telephone or during personal interviews. It is only with concrete support and interventions for a child or young person that anonymity has to be dropped. This is when the Ombuds-Office contacts other institutions in the interest of the young person concerned. All members of staff of the Ombuds-Office are sworn to secrecy.

Free of charge

The costs for the Children's and Youth Ombuds-Office are borne by the City Administration. Children, young people and adults who turn to the Office for help, do not have to pay any fees on their own account.

Key areas

• Children’s Rights and Protection (after the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)
• Physical, psychological and structural violence against children and young people
• Problems in School or work place, for instance bullying
• Family matters (pocket money and so forth)
• Children's and young people's right to have a say in general matters
• General discrimination of children and young people before the law (as in court)
• Coordination of the Viennese Network for Deradicalisation and Prevention
• Monitoring of sheltered accommodation for children and young people and homes for unaccompanied underage refugees